NL Central

NL West

Now Commenting On:

Reed charged with criminal sexual conduct

Email

Print

By Jason Beck
/
MLB.com |

DETROIT -- Tigers Minor League pitcher Evan Reed -- who was with Detroit earlier this season -- has been charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced Wednesday morning.

The charges stem from an alleged incident involving Reed and a 45-year-old woman at the Motor City Casino Hotel in the early morning hours of March 30, the day before Opening Day. The woman filed a sexual assault complaint in April, and following an investigation, Detroit police submitted a warrant request to the prosecutor's office in mid-May.

What followed, Worthy told reporters at a Wednesday morning news conference, was an investigation by her office, including interviews of possible witnesses and a review of evidence. The two charges carry a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.

The 28-year-old Reed made the Opening Day roster for the first time this season. He was designated for assignment and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo in June after appearing in 27 games. The Tigers said at the time that the move had nothing to do with the investigation.

"As an organization, we take matters like this very seriously, and we are closely monitoring the situation," the Tigers said in a statement Wednesday morning. "Evan Reed's representatives are handling his legal proceeding that must run its course before there is any further comment from the ballclub."

Reed remains on the roster at Triple-A Toledo. The prosecutor's office said in a press release that arrangements are being made for Reed to turn himself in for arraignment. That will happen at a later date, Worthy told reporters at the news conference.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.